Mission to completely isolate Pakistan: MEA briefs top nations on Pakistan's role in Pulwama attack
Feb 15 (AZINS) A day after Pulwama attack that killed more than 40 CRPF personnel diplomacy took centre stage as foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale briefed envoys of P5 countries, South Asia, Japan, Germany, South Korea on Pakistan’s role in the Pulwama terror attack. ASEAN envoys have been called on Saturday for a briefing.
Sources tell Zee Media that, all the heads of missions were "left in no doubt about the role played by Pakistan based and supported Jaish e Mohammed in the terrorist attack" and "our demand that Pakistan ceases forthwith all support and financing to terror groups operating from areas under their control."
Foreign secretary highlighted the role played by "Pakistan in using terrorism as an instrument of its state policy."Indian Foreign Secretary also met the Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui in Delhi and conveyed the Pakistani role in the Pulwama attack. UN-designated Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) claimed responsibility for the terror attack.
As part of the cabinet committee on security (CCS) decision, India will be taking action to diplomatically isolate Pakistan. CCS which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting on the aftermath of the terror attack on Friday morning. Briefing the media after Cabinet Committee on Security, Finance minister Arun Jaitley said, "MEA will initiate all possible steps and I am referring to all possible diplomatic steps which have to be taken to ensure the complete isolation of Pakistan from the international community for having a direct hand in this incident"
After the Uri attack, India along with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan had boycotted the SAARC Summit in Islamabad. New Delhi also announced that it will be withdrawing the most favoured nation (MFN) status to Pakistan. Under the status, a country grants equal trade advantages like low tariff or high import quota.
India will ask the world to form a consensus on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) which it had introduced more than 2 decades ago at the United Nation.
Pakistan High Commissioner summoned
Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale summoned Pakistan High Commissioner at 2 PM and issued a "very strong demarche" in connection Pulwama terror attack. Sources tell WION that India conveyed that Pakistan must take "immediate and verifiable action" against the JEM. New Delhi asked Islamabad that "it must immediately stop any groups or individuals associated with terrorism operating from its territories."
India also rejected the statement made by the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan on Thursday. Pakistan had said, "It strongly reject any insinuation by elements in the Indian government and media circles that seek to link the attack to the State of Pakistan without investigations." This is the 2nd time in 2019 Pakistan HC is summoned this year. He was summoned in January after Pakistan Foriegn Minister SM Qureshi had made a phone call to pro-Pakistan Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
In all, 7 times a Pakistan High Commissioner hasbeen summoned under the Modi govt since 2014.
China doesn't budge on Masood Azhar
But China's stance on Masood Azhar, the chief of Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) did not change. Asked about if China will now allow Azhar to be listed as a terrorist, China foriegn ministry spokesperson was non-committal.The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson on terrorism said, "Chinese side firmly opposes and strongly condemns terrorism in any form, hoping regional countries join hands together to confront the threat of terrorism so as to maintain the regional peace and security."
Remember, China is repeatedly blocked listing of Masood Azhar as an internationally designated terrorist under the UNSC 1267 Committee. India in February 2016 had approached the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee with the proposal to designate Masood Azhar under the 1267 sanction regime. While US, UK and France backed India's bid, China continued to block it.
China was the only country that took time to condemn the attack and the last of the P5-- Permanent 5 countries of UNSC to react.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi wrote to EAM Sushma Swaraj and condemned terror attack. In the letter, he expressed "deep sympathy to families of the victims & injured" and "stressed that the Chinese side resolutely opposes and strongly condemns all forms of terrorism."
China and Pakistan call themselves as "all-weather friends" with the Chinese economic project China Pakistan Economic Corridor passing through the country, providing Beijing a lucrative link with West Asia.
US came down heavily on Pakistan:
The White House in a strong statement hit out at Islamabad. Taking Pakistan's nam, United States called on "Pakistan to end immediately the support and safe haven provided to all terrorist groups operating on its soil, whose only goal is to sow chaos, violence, and terror in the region." It further said, "this attack only strengthens our resolve to bolster counterterrorism cooperation and coordination between the United States and India."
The US state department was quick to react and in a statement said, "We call on all countries to uphold their responsibilities pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions to deny safe haven and support for terrorists." Later in the day, American National Security Advisor (NSA) John Bolton spoke to NSA Ajit Doval.
11 US senators, 15 members of US house of representatives have condemned the Pulwama attack. India's neighbours--Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan-- & major countries in the world-- Russia, UK, Germany, France, Australia, Israel, Iran, UAE too strongly came out in strong support of New Delhi.